ARRL Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following devices provides data to the transmitter when sending automatic position reports from a mobile amateur radio station?

1. A GPS receiver

2. A compass

3. A barometer

4. An altimeter

The correct answer is: A GPS receiver

The device that provides data to the transmitter for sending automatic position reports from a mobile amateur radio station is a GPS receiver. GPS receivers are specifically designed to receive signals from satellites to determine precise geographic location coordinates (latitude and longitude). This information is essential for transmitting position reports, particularly in applications such as Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), which allows mobile operators to share their location and status in real-time over the radio. In contrast, a compass is primarily used for navigation by determining direction but does not provide location coordinates. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure and can help in predicting weather changes but does not provide geographic positioning data. An altimeter measures altitude, which is useful for determining elevation above sea level but again lacks the capability to provide global position coordinates necessary for automatic position reporting. Hence, the GPS receiver is the correct device for this purpose.